Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2026–Mar 3rd, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Large, persistent slab avalanches triggered by riders continue to be reported daily - many in steep treed areas.

Confidence

Moderate

We have higher uncertainty about treeline conditions due to persistent slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Every day in the last week, large, persistent avalanches have been triggered by riders or failed naturally; many have occurred around steep openings in treed areas.

Check out these recent MINs for more details:

Mar 1 MIN: very close call

Feb 27 MIN: remote triggered from 50 m away

Feb 24 MIN: 80-100 cm thick fresh persistent slabs

Feb 21 MIN: very large skier-triggered avalanche

Snowpack Summary

A crust covers most surfaces; lower elevations may turn most with daytime warming. At upper elevations, sheltered and northerly aspects holding onto dry snow have a variety of wind-pressed surfaces.

In the top 100 cm of the snowpack, there are multiple concerning weak layers of surface hoar and/or facets/crusts. The most active are a layer of surface hoar down 40 to 60 cm, and a facet/crust/surface hoar layer down 80-120 cm. The majority of recent large and distructive avalanches have been on well-preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.